Rangers beat Sabres, continue playoff push with explosive offense

Buffalo, NY (Sports Network) - The New York Rangers seemed to have finally
found their scoring touch at a most opportune time.

Behind Brad Richards' first career hat trick, the Rangers recorded their
highest scoring output of the season in an 8-4 verdict over the Buffalo Sabres
at First Niagara Center.

Richards, Carl Hagelin and Ryane Clowe all potted goals in the final 78
seconds of the first period to spur New York to its second lopsided victory in
as many nights. Richards also lit the lamp early in the second as part of a
five-goal outburst over a span of 2:58, the quickest for that amount in
franchise history.

It came just one night after New York matched a then-season best for goals in
a 6-1 home rout of Florida.

Clowe and Rick Nash each finished with a goal and an assist in the critical
win, which placed the Rangers two points in front of idle Winnipeg for the
eighth and final playoff seed in the Eastern Conference and one behind the
resting Islanders for seventh place. Anton Stralman and Ryan Callahan also
scored to support a 24-save effort from Henrik Lundqvist.

Buffalo had made a belated push for a postseason berth with a 6-2-0 stretch
entering the contest, but was officially eliminated from playoff contention
after having a three-game win streak halted.

Cody Hodgson, Nathan Gerbe, Drew Stafford and Mark Pysyk all tallied for the
Sabres, but goaltender Ryan Miller was lifted 1:13 into the second period
after permitting four goals on 14 shots